Place: Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre
Convener(s): Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Turkey; Turkish Water Institute (SUEN); State Hydraulic Works (DSİ)
Main Theme: Water and Peace
The 4th Istanbul International Water Forum was held between 10-11 May 2017 at the Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center. The Forum was jointly organised by the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) and the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) under the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs of Turkey.
Organizations namely, World Water Council (WWC), UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), UN Environment Programme - Global Programme of Action (UNEP-GPA), United Nations World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), United Nations Water (UN Water), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Platform for International Water Law, the Geneva Water Hub, Action Aganist Hunger (ACF), Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM), Ministry of Water and Forestry of Romanian Government, Ministry of Development of the Republic of Turkey, Republic Of Turkey Prime Ministry Disaster And Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), General Directorate of Water Management (SYGM), Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, Gaziantep Water and Sewerage Administration (GASKİ), Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ), Turkish Diyanet Foundation, Charity and Social Services, Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH) contributed to the Forum by either actively participating in the thematic sessions or holding side and special events.
The 4th IIWF welcomed 1,681 registered participants from 64 countries all over the world, from Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kıbrıs, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Qatar, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan. The Forum was attended by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector representatives, scientists and academics.
The Forum focused on the issue of refugees under the main theme of "Water and Peace". The 4th IIWF panellists discussed the subjects of urban water management, relief actions, legal aspects and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a specific focus on the refugee issue. The Forum enabled ample exchange of experiences and success stories on the challenge of providing water and sanitation services to refugees among refugee hosting countries.
Click here to access the program Book.
Click here for more information on Thematic Sessions.
Click here to watch the sessions.
Special Session
A special session that focused on water and sanitation needs of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey was held with the participation of local administration representatives.
Click here for more information about the Special Session.
By emphasizing that refugee crisis has become a global concern, the Forum’s message was that refugee crisis is not an issue to be dealt alone by host countries and responsibility should be shared by the international community through new mechanisms including increasing financial options.
Click here to view the photos of the 4th IIWF.